LATEST NEWS

Sept. 4: DH Andrew McCutchen removed due left Achilles tendon tightness
McCutchen was removed from Monday's game against the Brewers as a precaution due to left Achilles tendon tightness, the team announced. McCutchen appeared to sustain the injury when legging out a double in the fifth inning. Following the game, McCutchen said, "I’m not worried about it. I should be good.”

Sept. 4: RHP Hunter Stratton selected from Triple-A Indianapolis; LHP Rob Zastryzny designated for assignment
Stratton, who was selected by the Pirates in the 16th round in the 2017 Draft, earned his first big league callup. In 47 appearances for Indianapolis, the righty posted a 3.99 ERA and racked up six saves. To make room on the roster for Stratton, Zastryzny, who recorded a 4.79 ERA in 21 games, was designated for assignment.

Sept. 3: RHP Roansy Contreras scratched from start with Triple-A Indianapolis
Contreras didn’t pitch on Friday as scheduled after he experienced “a little more stiffness than usual.” General manager Ben Cherington did not specify where Contreras experienced the stiffness but said the team is “hopeful” that he progresses and pitches again this year.

After going 3-7 with a 6.59 ERA in 19 games (11 starts) with the Pirates this season, Contreras was optioned to Triple-A on July 6 and has also pitched at the Rookie and Single-A levels.

Sept. 1: OF/1B Miguel Andujar selected from Triple-A Indianapolis; RHP Carmen Mlodzinski activated from 15-day IL; RHP Yohan Ramirez and OF Cal Mitchell designated for assignment; RHP Max Kranick activated from injured list, optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis
In 103 games with Triple-A Indianapolis, Andujar hit .338/.404/.536 with 16 home runs and a 134 wRC+. Andujar could potentially see time both in the outfield and at first base. In 13 games with the Pirates this season, Andujar hit .161/.212/.387 with two home runs.

Mlodzinski, 24, has not pitched in a Major League game since Aug. 9. In Mlodzinski's lone rehab outing on Aug. 29, he allowed one unearned run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout across one inning. This season with the Pirates, the rookie right-hander has a 2.28 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 23 2/3 innings.

Kranick has made two appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis, allowing three runs across four innings on three hits with five strikeouts to three walks. Kranick, who underwent Tommy John surgery last year, has not pitched in a Major League game since May 11, 2022.

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INJURY UPDATES

10-day IL and 15-day IL

OF/C Henry Davis (right hand strain)
Expected return: September
Davis, placed on the injured list on Aug. 21, took batting practice and participated in defensive work prior to the Pirates' game against the Cardinals on Sept. 2. This is the first time that Davis has taken batting practice on the field since being placed on the injured list.

Davis had been dealing off and on with an injury around his right thumb area, he said, which he and the Pirates' training staff had been able to manage over the course of a few weeks. This season, Davis has a .213/.306/.339 slash line with five home runs. (Last updated: Sept. 2)

60-day IL

LHP Angel Perdomo (left elbow discomfort)
Expected return: September
Perdomo was seen by physicians, and imaging determined that he has a flexor strain of the left forearm. The initial recommendation is to not throw for two to three weeks. Per director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, it could be a challenge for Perdomo to return this season given how few games remain.

The Pirates placed Perdomo on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 20 (retroactive to Aug. 19) due to left elbow discomfort, then transferred him to the 60-day IL on Aug. 24. Perdomo's last appearance was on Aug. 18 against the Twins, when he allowed two runs and recorded two outs. The left-hander has a 3.72 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 29 innings this season. (Last updated: Aug. 24)

SS Oneil Cruz (fractured left fibula)
Expected return: September
Cruz's rehab has "plateaued," per director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Cruz began a formal running program in early August, but he has since stopped due to left foot soreness. Tomczyk noted that "it's not uncommon finding for foot biomechanics to be impacted from a traumatic injury that he sustained."

When asked if Cruz could return this season, Tomczyk said, "It's too tough to tell right now, but we're running out of days."

General manager Ben Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan on Aug. 6 that "all signs point to him playing Major League games in Pittsburgh this season," but he added that Cruz is more likely to return in September, not August as originally anticipated. Cruz is currently participating in baseball activities such as hitting and throwing.

Cruz has been on the injured list since April 10 after fracturing his left fibula in a collision with White Sox catcher Seby Zavala.

“It feels good that it’s not season-ending, but that’s out of my control,” Cruz said on June 3. “I’m just leaving everything to the medical team. Whenever they think it’s going to be the time, it’ll be the time. I’ll be there.” (Last updated: Aug. 23)

INF Tucupita Marcano (right knee ligament injury)
Expected return: Likely 2024
Marcano underwent season-ending ACL surgery on Aug. 9. The expected return to full baseball activities is nine to 12 months.

The infielder sustained the injury after he landed awkwardly when trying to avoid a tag on July 24 and collapsed. He was helped off the field by head athletic trainer Rafael Freitas and assistant athletic trainer Tony Leo, unable to put any pressure on his right leg. (Last updated: Aug. 10)

LHP Jarlín García (injury to nerves in upper left arm)
Expected return: TBD
García is engaging in light throwing with his teammates, the first time he has thrown since March, but not with full strength. There is currently no timetable for his return. The Pirates placed García on the 60-day injured list prior to Opening Day. The team determined García sustained an injury to nerves in the "mid-humerus biceps region." (Last updated: July 19)

RHP Vince Velasquez (right elbow discomfort)
Expected return: TBD
Velasquez is on the trajectory to throw in early October. Velasquez underwent season-ending surgery to address damage to the UCL in his right elbow on June 9, per director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. The team anticipates that Velasquez will resume throwing in four months with a return to Major League competition in 11-12 months.

On June 23, he was moved from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster for infielder Nick Gonzales. (Last updated: July 19)

RHP JT Brubaker (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Brubaker is on track to throw in early October. He is no longer wearing a post-operation brace on his right arm after undergoing Tommy John surgery on April 12. His projected full return to Major League competition is 14-16 months, the club announced.

The Pirates originally placed Brubaker on the 15-day injured list on Opening Day, but he was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 2. He was expected to be part of the rotation to open the season, but he was unable to recover as expected after his final Grapefruit League start on March 21. (Last updated: July 19)

Minor League IL

RHP Michael Burrows (UCL surgery)
Expected return: 2024
No. 9 prospect Burrows underwent season-ending UCL reconstruction surgery on April 26. He is expected to return to action in 14 to 16 months. (Last updated: April 27)

INF Dariel Lopez (right knee dislocation)
Expected return: 2024
Lopez suffered a dislocated right knee while participating in a club-issued offseason conditioning program and will miss the entire 2023 season, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. (Last updated: March 16)

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